Orange - circa 2012-13

We’ve been into the Dome twice in the last week to see this year’s Orange. I know it’s too early in the year to know much about how they will perform in March, and I also know that the past week's opposition wasn’t that tough, but even so, here’s the preliminary report.

The Bench. I think one of the most promising things about this year's team is its depth. Not only are they going to play eight guys regularly, maybe nine if freshman Jerami Grant comes along, but the first two guys off the bench might be the best offensive players on the team -- certainly the best two shooters. I’m speaking about Southerland and redshirt freshman, Trevor Cooney. The Princeton game was a perfect example. The offense was out of sorts most of the night, but Southerland, in the role of sixth man, led the team in scoring with 22 points, hitting four of six threes. Cooney did nothing against Princeton, but in the Wagner game, he was a spark off the bench, hitting his first three, leading the team in steals, and adding a couple beautiful assists for good measure.

Rebounding. Cuse's biggest weakness last year, even as they held the number one ranking for several weeks, was a lack of rebounding. That will change this year with DaJuan Coleman replacing Fab Melo in the middle of the back line, and Rakeem Christmas having not only added several pounds, but a year of experience as well. Coleman is a monster; as a freshman, he’s bigger and more imposing the AO was even in his senior year. He’s as close to an immovable object as one could find on a basketball court. I mean, it would be easier to bring down the backboard than to move Coleman off the block. Plus he has great hands. So with Christmas and CJ Fair, he gives the Orange the ability to control the boards far better than they did last year.

2-3 Zone. Somehow Boeheim takes a new group of kids each year, and molds them into a dominant defensive force. And it looks like he will accomplish that once again this year. They are long and quick, with two big guards at the top of the zone -- Triche and Carter-Williams. Last year the offense was triggered by the defense, with the guards generating steals that led to breakaway baskets. Against Princeton, the team had nineteen steals, with Southerland leading the way with five. It seemed to me that most of the steals came as Princeton tried to force the ball inside, so there weren’t many easy buckets; but still, it’s far easier to win when you force the opposition into 22 turnovers. Right now, early in the season, especially with freshmen and sophomores on the floor, the zone is still a bit out of sync. But I think as the season progresses, this group will coalesce into another defensive force.

I wasn’t enamored with the way in which Carter-Williams ran the offense. He looks great in the box score, with twenty assists in the last two games. But he spent most of the game dribbling around the top of the defense, looking to penetrate into the lane and then dish to someone down low. Too often the lane was clogged and he or Triche turned the ball over. Plus, Coleman can play with his back to the basket, shades of AO, so I’d like to see more inside-out play. My buddy Matt insists that Carter-Williams is the best player on the team, so probably I shouldn’t be complaining. But I thought the offense looked out of sorts, particularly against a couple of overmatched opponents.

Still, I’m very encouraged by what I saw. Good defense, improved rebounding, and two great shooters coming off the bench. I think they have another chance to play deep into the post-season. So once again, Go Orange!